Department of Statistics

About Department

The Department of Statistics was established during October 2006. Currently, the department offers M.Sc. Statistics, M.Sc. Five Year Integrated (Statistics), Ph.D. (Statistics), M.Sc. Quantitative Finance, Post Graduate Diploma in Statistical and Research Methodology programs. The department aims to train students in the development and applications of Statistical techniques for analyzing data arising in the scientific investigation of problems in various disciplines. It also provides first hand practical experience in handling modern statistical software packages in the analysis of such data. In the present scenario, it is rather impossible, even to think of any field which does not employ modern statistical tools to arrive at rational conclusions from research studies and a statistician is always an indispensable part of any research team carrying out any research investigation.

The Department is supported for development of infrastructure by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India under FIST program. The department is having 8 permanent faculties with composition of 1 professor, 2 Associate Professors, 5 Assistant Professors and 3 guest faculties for statistics, 5 guest faculties for M.Sc. Quantitative Finance Program. All the faculty members are actively engaged in research and published papers in National and International journals. Besides, extramural funds to the tune of Rupees Forty Six lakhs were generated by the faculty members through the various research projects funded by UGC/DST.

M.Sc. Statistics (Five year Integrated): The question paper for the entrance examination for admission to the M.Sc. Statistics, Five year integrated program course will consist of 100 Multiple Choice Questions at HSC level Mathematics.

M.Sc. Quantitative Finance: The entrance examination is similar to that of any standard All India Management Admission tests (on the lines of CAT/GMAT/GRE) with 100 Multiple Choice Questions in General English, Reasoning, Problem Solving and decision making, basics of Computer Science, General Knowledge and Contemporary Business Issues.

PG Diploma in Statistical and Research Methodology: No entrance test for this course.

More about M.Sc. Quantitative Finance:

Placements, Alumni Networking and Skill Development: The Placement activities of the Department are taken care of by a Placement Cell which comprises of student members and a faculty advisor. This cell provides regular orientation programs on Selection, Guidance and Planning of career. Semester wise road map on placement process has been implemented by the department. The placement cell organizes campus recruitment programmes every year and takes the pride in facilitating placement for eligible students in Multinational Companies and other companies in the private sector. The department has Alumni networking cell comprising a faculty coordinator and student members. The objective of this cell is to make use of the good offices and contributions of old students to the current student community. This network will provide the dynamics and paradigm shifts in the environment of current job market. It further educates, train and mould the students for changing needs in different professional skills. The department is operating Skill Development Cell with the motive of creating statistical professionals in data analysis through the theoretical knowledge of statistics. To achieve this, the department has three advanced level statistical laboratories equipped with licensed software packages. The course curriculum is designed in such a way that proper weightage is given on software training related to data analysis.More on M.Sc. Quantitative Finance

Best Practices

Right now Pondicherry University is offering the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) as like western and European Universities. This system benefits the students to have the learning process as per their interest and choice and give them opportunity to get knowledge in inter disciplinary areas. Under this system, there are two types of core papers namely Hard core and Soft core papers. Hard core is mostly related to the essential contents of statistics at Master’s degree program. Soft core papers can be either internal or external. Internal soft core papers are offered by the department whereas external soft core provides the opportunity to choose courses from other departments not related to statistics Master’s degree program. Students can select the courses purely on their choice.

The department inculcates many best practices for overall development of the students, research scholars and faculty members. Academic planner of the department is provided in the beginning of the academic year which contains information regarding time tables of class works, internal examinations, two terms attendance reports per semester, consolidated marks of internal examinations, project work guide allocations, faculty adviser allotment, list of internal and external soft core papers, schedule of program committee meetings, plans for educational tours, departmental academic programs, schedule of co-curriculum activities, schedule of invited and eminent lecture programs, etc. It also provides the career and co curriculum schedule. Semester wise road map on these things will help the students to design their stay period on the campus in the best optimal way. Student interaction programs such as Fresher's day; Farewell day; subject related program such as National Statistics Day; Birthday celebrations of eminent statisticians; University-Industry interface; Workshops and training programs on popular statistical tools and methodologies; Special orientations programs like personality development; communications and soft skills development; Different event management issues like Stress, Time, learning resources, career strategies; etc are some of the other best practices of the department for overall development of the students.

As a part of effective functioning, faculty members of the department are actively involving in the following coordination activities

Dr.P.Tirupathi Rao: Head of the Department, Chairman-Board of Studies in Statistics, University Nodal Officer-AISHE, MHRD and the university administrative assignments from time to time

Placements

The Placement activities of the Department are taken care of by a Placement Cell which comprises of a student member and a faculty advisor. The placement cell organizes campus recruitment programmes every year and takes pride in facilitating placement for eligible students in Multinational Companies and other companies in the private sector.

Programmes Offered

For getting admission in to the courses M.Sc. Statistics (Regular), M.Sc. Statistics (Five year Integrated), M.Sc. Quantitative Finance and Ph.D. Programme in Statistics(Full-time and Part-time), the candidates have to appear for the entrance examination conducted by Pondicherry University.

Eligibility to Get Admission:

M.Sc. Statistics (Regular): Bachelor’s degree in Statistics or Mathematics with Statistics as an allied subject with a minimum of 55% of marks.

M.Sc. Statistics (Five year Integrated): Pass in Higher Secondary Schooling (HSC / +2) with a minimum of 50% of marks with Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry as subjects of study (Candidates with other branches are not eligible for this programme).

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Infrastructure Facilities

The Department has new premises constructed exclusively for the Statistics department. In the new premises the department has all modern facilities. There is a separate seminar room and a computer laboratory equipped with all modern facilities exclusively meant for the department. There are fifty terminals in the laboratory which will enable the students to work independently of each other. The computer system supports standard statistical software like SPSS 19.0 and SYSTAT 13.0. Students will have ample opportunities to get themselves fully trained in the use of these softwares which will help them in getting immediate placement. All the class rooms are equipped with state of the art facilities. The premises of the department is Wi-Fi enabled.

During the last five years, Statistics books (both text book and reference book) worth more than 18 lakhs have been added to the library. Reputed Journals (both print and electronic) related to theoretical and applied statistics are available. The department is also planning to have a department library which will have copies of text books and reference books needed for immediate reference by faculty and students. The recently redrafted syllabus for the M.Sc. programme provides ample opportunities for the students to select job oriented elective subjects according to their need / preferences. The redrafted syllabus includes topics of CSIR-UGC NET examination thereby benefitting students in taking NET examination and other competitive examinations for the central services.